Chapter 170 Maid
Lu Chen still had to pack his luggage. After receiving a few words of advice from Yuying, he took the imperial edict written by Yuying and went downstairs to pack his things.
And over here, Qingxi Bookstore.
After Lu Chen left, Yu Ying looked at Qing Dai, who had spent the longest time with Lu Chen, and couldn't help asking, "What happened to Lu Chen?"
There was an obvious change on Lu Chen's face just now. Not only Yuying, but even Qingtao, who was usually carefree, noticed Lu Chen's unusual expression.
After all, it was rare for Lu Chen to show his emotions so openly, so how could they possibly turn a blind eye?
Qingdai glanced at Yuying with a complicated expression.
She sighed. She had expected Her Majesty to ask this question, so she had already prepared a response in her mind.
So as soon as Yuying finished speaking, Qingdai slowly spoke.
However, she did not rush to talk about the reason why Lu Chen lost his composure, but asked Yu Ying a question first: "Madam, do you know why Lu Chen has never contacted his family outside the palace in these years?"
Qingdai also looked at Qingtao who was listening at the side and said, "Qingtao, you can also guess."
Qingtao didn't expect that there was something for her to do. She was stunned for a moment and fell into deep thought.
On this side, Yuying frowned and shook her head hesitantly.
Of course she didn't know, after all, she wasn't the type to pry into other people's privacy. But when Qingdai specifically asked this question, Yuying had a bad feeling in her heart, could it be...?
Qingtao also seemed to be hesitant to speak.
Yuying and Qingtao looked at each other, and they both understood what was in each other's eyes. However, if it was really as they guessed, then Lu Chen's life experience was too pitiful.
Yuying felt a little reluctant and didn't know whether she should continue listening. Although the person involved was not there at the moment, Yuying always felt like she was exposing someone's scars.
Qingdai, who had been watching the expressions of the two men, saw what was going on and didn't understand. The two men probably had already guessed it, but because this was Lu Chen's business after all, they didn't dare to speak out their guesses.
But in fact, Lu Chen herself was not shy about her life experience, and most of the old people who served in the Qianqing Palace knew her life experience.
It was just that Yuying came too late, and although Lu Chen did not shy away from it, there was no reason for him to publicize it, so Yuying and Qingtao did not know about it.
Therefore, Yuying took the initiative to bring it up today, and Qingdai told Yuying about this matter when Luchen was not around.
Seeing the pity on Yuying and Qingtao's faces, Qingdai's heart was touched. She continued, "I and Luchen were both selected to enter the palace in the eleventh year of Emperor Kangxi's reign. Since then, Luchen and I have been assigned to serve in front of the emperor."
"Although I and Lu Chen were both born as bondservants, I had to enter the palace because of the imperial edict. This is our fate as bondservants." When Qingdai mentioned this, there was a moment of sadness on her face, but fortunately it was fleeting.
Qing Dai didn't feel sad for too long. She cheered herself up and said, "But Lu Chen entered the palace to save his life..."
As Qingdai told the story, Lu Chen's past slowly unfolded in front of Yuying. Yuying then realized that not all the Baoyi slaves were rich, and those Baoyi families who took root in the Forbidden City and sucked blood were only a minority after all. Most of them were like Lu Chen, whose families lived in extreme poverty. This was the current situation of Baoyi.
Lu Chen was the only girl in her family. Due to their poor family background, her father naturally did not take a concubine, and she did not have any other brothers or sisters. If her father had not suddenly fallen ill in bed, Lu Chen's family would probably have been considered happy.
Unfortunately, the sudden illness ruined Lu Chen's father's health and the family. Lu Chen's father had to take medicine all day long, and only his mother could support the family by taking some embroidery work every day. At that time, little Lu Chen helped by doing some work within her ability.
But the winter of that year seemed particularly cold and long. Lu Chen's mother's hands were frozen and she couldn't even lift the small embroidery needle. The family had no income and the money they had saved was almost gone. Father's medicine could not be stopped and daily meals also needed money. Lu Chen's family had reached the point where they couldn't even afford charcoal, let alone new clothes to keep warm.
In order to survive, the Lu Chen family could only huddle in bed with quilts all day, praying that the winter would pass quickly.
But things did not go as planned, and Ama Luchen did not survive the winter of that year.
After Lu Chen and her mother finally buried her father, Lu Chen had to enter the palace to participate in the selection, leaving Lu Chen's mother alone at home.
Lu Chen walked into the palace, looking back every few steps, as her mother looked at her in tears.
After Lu Chen entered the palace, she was always worried about her mother outside the palace. She was reluctant to spend her monthly allowance and saved it all. She said that she would wait until she was released from the palace at the age of 25 so that she could lead her mother to a good life.
But Lu Chen's mother didn't live to see Lu Chen leave the palace. In the fifteenth year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, news came from outside the palace that Lu Chen's mother had passed away, and Lu Chen's last relative in this world was gone.
She had no ties outside the palace at all, so even when she reached the age when a palace maid could be released from the palace, Lu Chen chose to stay in the palace.
It was the first time that Yuying and Qingtao knew that Lu Chen had such a past. They looked at each other in silence.
"So, Your Majesty, I can probably understand Lu Chen's feelings." Qingdai's eyes turned red after she finished speaking. Over the years, she watched Lu Chen slowly become silent, and she actually felt uncomfortable in her heart.
Serving the Emperor was a very depressing thing. All the servants in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, including her and Eunuch Liang, worked hard. But Lu Chen was a special case. She seemed to be completely unaware of the tense atmosphere in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. She was silent all day long. She was only in her twenties, but her temperament was as boring as a nanny.
It’s not that he can’t feel it, it’s just that Lu Chen doesn’t care.
But fortunately, she and Lu Chen finally came to serve the Empress, and Qingdai was glad in her heart. Compared with the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Palace of Eternal Longevity was naturally much happier and more comfortable. Even though it was because of the Empress's favor that the servants could often see the Emperor, but when they were around the Empress, the Emperor never seemed to get angry.
Qingdai couldn't help but glance at Yuying.
She and Lu Chen were selected to enter the palace together, then served in the Palace of Heavenly Purity together, and finally came to the side of the Empress together. Counting the time, the two of them have been together in the palace for twenty years.
Everyone knew that Lu Chen, who served in the imperial court, was a very calm person. But to be honest, Lu Chen was actually one year younger than her.
Seeing Qingdai was lost in her memories again, Yuying was curious and wanted to know more about the two maids Kangxi sent her. So she asked, "What about you? Qingdai, why didn't you leave the palace at the age of 25?" After all, Yuying remembered what Qingdai had just said, that she did not enter the palace voluntarily.
Unexpectedly, Yuying still cared about her. Qingdai came back to her senses and continued to talk to Yuying, but this time her tone was not as serious as before, but with a smile on her face.
"My life was saved by Lu Chen."
Although she is one year older than Lu Chen, Lu Chen actually took care of her a lot. She had just entered the palace at that time and had not yet realized how terrible the palace was.
Not only are there constant fights between masters, but there are also dirty things among servants.
There was another person who entered the palace with her and Lu Chen.
When the three of them were learning the rules, they were assigned to rest in the same room, so naturally their relationship was better than that of others.
Therefore, Qing Dai at that time was completely unaware of the evil intentions of the other person. That was not right. Perhaps she did not have any evil intentions at the beginning. After all, they had only been in the palace for a few days and were just trapped in the courtyard to learn the rules. There was no conflict of interest between them.
At that time, apart from the nanny who taught the rules being a little strict, nothing happened at all. A group of little girls hung out together, so naturally they had no vigilance.
But later, she and Lu Chen were assigned to the Qianqing Palace, while the other person was assigned to the imperial kitchen.
The imperial kitchen is a place that all palace maids are reluctant to go to. Not only is it tiring, but there are also few places where they can show their master's face.
That person was unwilling at the time. She was self-righteous and thought that if she served in front of the emperor, she would be favored by the emperor and become a successful person.
So she set her sights on Qingdai and Luchen. But Luchen was cold all day long and looked like someone who was not easy to mess with. She didn't dare to attack Luchen, so she planned to frame her.
If Lu Chen had not told her, she might have violated the masters' taboos as soon as she entered the palace and would have been executed.
Later, Qingdai found out that in order to replace her, she had done a lot of tricks and even bribed the nanny who was in charge at the time.
No wonder she was so confident at that time that as long as she was gone, she would be the one to be assigned to the Qianqing Palace.
"So, after I knew that Lu Chen had no intention of leaving the palace, I stayed to accompany her." Qingdai felt a little embarrassed when talking about this.
"Do you regret it?" After all, she had served in the palace for twenty years. If it were her, she would have gone crazy long ago.
"I don't regret it. Although I didn't go home, I can still see my father, mother and brother from time to time."
But Lu Chen is different. Although Lu Chen doesn't say it, she is actually very dependent on Qingdai in her heart.
After listening quietly, Yuying couldn't help but be moved by the relationship between Qingdai and Luchen.
The atmosphere is a bit depressing.
Yuying quickly clapped her hands to break the depressing atmosphere.
"What's more, I am now a senior palace maid who is favored by Her Majesty. This is much more glorious than the days outside the palace." Qingdai also perked up and couldn't help joking.
Yuying smiled brightly upon hearing this, "Alright, alright, I won't say these flattering words anymore. Don't worry, just stay with me, I promise you'll be fine! If you still want to leave the palace now, you can tell me, I'll prepare some money for you to leave the palace."
As soon as Yuying said this, Qingtao immediately became anxious, fearing that she would be sent out of the palace by Yuying before she could express her opinion.
"No, I don't want to leave you! If I stay by your side, others will envy me! I want to stay with you forever!"
Seeing Qingtao's hurried look, Yuying and Qingdai laughed at the same time.
"No one can leave you, Madam." Qingdai teased Qingtao, and then said to Yuying: "I am willing to serve Madam forever, please don't despise me."
Each of them rushed to show their loyalty to him.
Yuying was so happy that she gave a large sum of silver to the two of them. She even gave Luchen, who was not here, a lot of money. She gave the silver to Qingdai and asked her to keep it for Luchen first and give it to her when she came back. She also told her what she wanted to say. If any of them wanted to leave the palace, they could tell her at any time. She kept her word.
In Qingxi Book House, the relationship between master and servant is harmonious.
And the other side.
Kangxi had just been driven to the Nine Classics and Three Affairs Hall by Yuying.
Although Yuying was in charge of the recycling of old clothes in the palace, the notice to the world still had to be written by Kangxi, stamped with the imperial seal, and handed over to his subordinates to distribute to various places.
An imperial edict was spread out in front of Kangxi. The ink stains on the imperial pen in his hand were almost solidified on the tip of the pen. It could be seen that Kangxi had been sitting here quietly for a long time, but he was still hesitant to write, as if he had some reservations.
Liang Jiugong silently ground the ink for Kangxi. Seeing that Kangxi had no intention of writing, Liang Jiugong stopped his action and stood behind Kangxi. After all, as a servant, the most important thing is to have the ability to act according to circumstances.
Liang Jiugong only heard the tail end of what Yuying and Kangxi discussed just now, so at this moment, even if Liang Jiugong wanted to say a few words to Kangxi, he couldn't speak casually.
But Liang Jiugong pretending to be dumb does not mean that Kangxi will not take the initiative to ask him.
No, after a period of silence, Kangxi put down his pen and turned to ask Liang Jiugong, "What do you think of your imperial concubine?"
Liang Jiugong's heart was filled with alarm. This is my "Mistress Imperial Concubine", how could he dare to make such casual comments? Is the Emperor trying to find a reason to punish me?
Liang Jiugong was very active in his thoughts, but his face showed a look of trepidation. He quickly knelt down and said, "I am terrified. Your Majesty is naturally very kind. Everyone in this palace knows that Your Majesty is the kindest master. All the servants in this palace are looking forward to working for Your Majesty."
Just praise, praise as much as you can and that's it.
Listening to Liang Jiugong's joke, Kangxi kicked him and said, "You old eunuch, do I need you to tell me this?"
Liang Jiugong was not afraid of being kicked. He covered his butt and smiled apologetically: "Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty is the one who knows Your Majesty best. I was just taking advantage of you. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Okay, get up and grind ink for me." Kangxi's mood improved a lot. He didn't hesitate at this moment and wrote the imperial edict in a few strokes.
"Okay, take it down. Go tell them, just post it around the capital."
Kangxi thought about it and decided that this matter had never happened before, so it would be better to keep it within the range that he could control. That way, even if it didn't work, he could still cover for Yuying.
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